spill the tea

Meaning

'Spill the tea' means to share gossip, secrets, or exclusive news about someone or something. It is a very common, casual slang phrase used among friends when they want to hear the latest dramatic details about a situation.

Examples

• We haven't talked in weeks, so you need to spill the tea on your new relationship!

  We haven't talked in weeks, so you need to spill the tea on your new relationship!

• She promised to spill the tea about why the manager suddenly quit yesterday.

  She promised to spill the tea about why the manager suddenly quit yesterday.

• Come sit down and spill the tea; I want to hear all the details about the party.

  Come sit down and spill the tea; I want to hear all the details about the party.

• I'm not supposed to spill the tea, but I heard they are getting married next month.

  I'm not supposed to spill the tea, but I heard they are getting married next month.

• They spent the entire lunch break spilling the tea about their coworkers.

  They spent the entire lunch break spilling the tea about their coworkers.

Common Mistakes

• ✗ Please spill the coffee about the drama.

  ✓ Please spill the tea about the drama.

  The idiom is fixed with 'tea' (which originally represented the letter 'T' for 'truth' in drag culture). You cannot substitute other beverages.

• ✗ She spilled the tea to me.

  ✓ She spilled the tea with me.

  While 'spill the tea to someone' is sometimes used, it is much more natural to say 'spill the tea with someone' or simply use 'spill the tea' followed by 'about [topic]'.

Related Expressions

Practice

• I heard you saw Sarah and her ex talking; come on, ___!

  💡 Share the juicy gossip.

  Show answer

  spill the tea

• She loves to ___ about everyone in the office, but she hates when people talk about her.

  💡 Share secrets or gossip.

  Show answer

  spill the tea